Arch support and blank therefor



May 3, 1938. s. QUISLING ARCH SUPPORT AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed June 21, 1935 IN V EN TOR.

Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENTQOFFICE ARCH SUPPORT AND BLANK THEREFOR Sverre Quisling, Madison, Application June 21, 1935, serial in. 27,630 Claims. (01. 35-471) Thisinvention relates to arch supports adapted to be placed in shoes and to the blanks from which such supports may be quickly, easily and cheaply made.

In the present state of the art, arch supports are made in two distinct types. The common type of arch support is made in standard sizes. These standard sizes are not adaptable to any large number of feet and are not suitable for use in every type of shoe. The other type of arch supportis made to fit individual feet. In order to obtain an arch support which properly fits the individual foot, it is necessary for an orthopedic expert to make a plaster mold of the foot. A metal casting is then formed and finished to fit the foot and the shoe, using the mold as a pattern. The making of this type of arch support requires considerable time and is, of necessity, expensive, as is apparent. Even the best of these arch supports are often cumbersome.

My invention has for its purpose, the provision of arch supports adapted to be fitted to the individual foot which do not require the services of an expert either in the making of the support or the fitting of the support to the foot and which may be made in a few moments.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a blank from which arch supports may be made by the use of a minimum amount of equipment.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a blank of sheet metal or plastics, cellulose plastics and hard rubber having been found particularly useful, from which arch supports may be formed.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide blanks from which arch supports may be easily and quickly shaped by the use of the annealing, forming and cutting machine of the type described in my Patent No. 1,990,092 granted Feb- Iuary 5, 1935.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description progresses, the invention resides in novel features in construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes may be made from the precise embodiment as shown without departin from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top View of the blank from which arch supports are made.

Fig. 2 is a top view indicating in dotted lines the appendages folded under the sole portion for purpose of supporting the transverse and inner longitudinal arches.

Fig. 3 is a side view of an arch support formed with supportsat the transverse and. at the longi tudinal arch positions. v i v Fig. his -a top 'view'of' aflblank illustrating shortened appendages to provide an arch support having lower arches and illustrating the blank provided with a plurality of perforations.

Referring to the. drawing in detail, a blank is provided having sole portion 5, a longitudinally projecting appendage 3 and a laterally projecting appendage I. The sole portion 5 is so shaped as to conform to the heel, instep and ball portions of a shoe. The transverse arch or metatarsal arch support is formed by bending downwardly appendage 3, at substantially right angles to sole 5, along line I. In order to provide a permanent support at this point, the appendage is formed with Wing-shaped projections 4 which are adapted to be bent inwardly under sole 5 at substantially right angles to appendage 3 along lines 9, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The longitudinal arch is formed by bending downwardly appendage l at substantially right angles to sole 5, along the line 6. In order to provide a permanent support at this point, the appendage is formed with wing-shaped projections 2 which are adapted to be bent inwardly under sole 5 at substantially right angles to appendage I along lines 8, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Figs. 2 and 3 are top and side. views, respectively, of a completed arch support. The appendages l and 3 are shown bent downwardly, with the Wing-shaped projections 2 and 4 bent inwardly under the sole portion to support the longitudinal and transverse arches, respectively.

Fig. 4 illustrates a blank which may be used to form a support having lower arches, the sole portion having a plurality of small holes H! to provide ventilation of the feet. A blank having full sized appendages is provided and the appendages I and 3 are cut, as indicated, to allow the forming of an arch support in which the arches are lower.

The. arch supporting means is thus formed of a blank in the shape of the heel, instep and ball portions of a shoe, or the shape of the insole of a shoe minus the front toe portion. The blank is provided with integral appendages having free wing-shaped projections integral with the appendages. The appendages when bent downwardly at right angles to the blank and the wingshaped projections when bent inwardly at right angles to the appendages, serve as supports for the arches.

These blanks, as stated, may be formed of any desirable material; cellulose acetate sheeting of inch thickness has been found suitable. This material is very strong, semi-elastic and washable and can be formed up readily on the annealing, forming and cutting machine of my patent previously mentioned.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In arch supporting means and a blank therefor, a single piece of flat material cut in the shape of the inner sole of a shoe with appended wings having free ends located at the positions of the arches which wings may be folded down with the free ends turned under the sole to serve as supports.

2. In an arch support made of a single piece of fiat material, a main portion shaped like the inner sole of a shoe and an appended wing portion folded at right angles to the sole with free tips folded perpendicularly under the sole at the position of the inner longitudinal or transverse arch.

3. In an arch support made of a single flat piece of material, a sole portion less the toe portion shaped like the insole of a shoe and a supporting appendage portion bent down at right angles to the sole portion with free tips perpendicularly supporting the sole portion at the position of the arch.

4. In a blank for making arch supports, a flat piece of material shaped in the form of the insole of a shoe less the front toe portion with winglike appendages having free tips located at the positions of the transverse and inner longitudinal arches of the foot respectively.

5. An arch support blank comprising a perforated body portion, an outwardly projecting appendage integral with said body portion at the position of an arch and wing-shaped projections integral with said appendage, said body portion being adapted to be shaped so as to support the sole of a foot, said appendage being adapted to be bent downwardly at substantially right angles to said body portion, said wing-shaped projections being adapted to be bent inwardly at substantially right angles to said appendage and under said body portion.

SVERRE QUISLING. 

